Frustrated

[Jer]

Hi everyone!!,

Ok , I know I have said this before. But I am going to say it again. But let me say in advance for those of you who don't know me. Regardless of whether this ever happens or not, I will ALWAYS love my babies.
When I got Sammy, CAG, I also got one for a friend of mine. They are the same age at 11 months old now. Ozzie, CAG is 14 months old. I have had both of them since 9 and 10 weeks. The friend who got the bird, her bird is talking up a storm!!! MINE??? NOTHING!!!! Not even the oldest one....
Am I just doing something wrong or what????
I went to the friends house one day, and I should also say that she was at the time actually a co-worker, not really a friend. Anyway, I went to her house to see her CAG. The bird is saying hello, step up, laughing etc....
Then he reaches over to what I would call "KISS" her, but just a little to hard and she slapped the you know what out of him. He fell to the ground and across the fence. So needless to say, I just wanted to reach over and slap her like she did her bird. BUT I didn't....
So once again, why aren't my birds talking yet?? I know no one has a real answer, but possibly some suggestions???

Thanks,
Jer

[Dallas]

My CAG is 14 months and is great at talking. He started talking at around 5 months old. Now, with that being said, I have little children who are home all the time. Yes, they talk all the time too. I believe my CAG talks to compete with everyone else. Give your CAG time. They all love to play and compete.

Originally Posted by Jer

Hi everyone!!,

Ok , I know I have said this before. But I am going to say it again. But let me say in advance for those of you who don't know me. Regardless of whether this ever happens or not, I will ALWAYS love my babies.
When I got Sammy, CAG, I also got one for a friend of mine. They are the same age at 11 months old now. Ozzie, CAG is 14 months old. I have had both of them since 9 and 10 weeks. The friend who got the bird, her bird is talking up a storm!!! MINE??? NOTHING!!!! Not even the oldest one....
Am I just doing something wrong or what????
I went to the friends house one day, and I should also say that she was at the time actually a co-worker, not really a friend. Anyway, I went to her house to see her CAG. The bird is saying hello, step up, laughing etc....
Then he reaches over to what I would call "KISS" her, but just a little to hard and she slapped the you know what out of him. He fell to the ground and across the fence. So needless to say, I just wanted to reach over and slap her like she did her bird. BUT I didn't....
So once again, why aren't my birds talking yet?? I know no one has a real answer, but possibly some suggestions???

Thanks,
Jer

[The Outlaw]

Jer:

I'm furious about your "friend" slapping the bird. I'm afraid I'd have been all over her. Its NOT ok. In fact, its lousy.

As for your bird not talking, I'm not sure why. All of mine do on their own terms. Are you quiet yourself? I talk to my fids all day long and they respond. Both of my greys talk, my CAG talks a LOT. However,I still am not surprised that your birds isn't speaking.

Let me ask you this: Do you ASK questions? Or do you simply say things that you hope it will mimic? Try asking questions and wait for a response. When your bird does start to vocalize, praise it a lot. Let it know that its done something cool.

Also, get out of the sight of your bird and talk to it from another room. It may decide to use language as a kind of contact call.

By the way, did the chest wound completely heal?

[Alika]

I HATE it when people hit their animals for ANYTHING... bad behavior or no, it doesn't solve a darn thing and it's abusive. You really ought to say something to her about it... how nice you are is up to you.

Don't give up! I know that talking birds have a habit of practicing to themselves in private what they are learning before belting it out for you one day. I haven't had this experience myself, but I've heard that when they're ready, you'll know it and then they won't stop!

Just talk to them constantly. Like Outlaw said, repeat sounds and ask questions. Get excited about it; lots of parrots respond well to enthusiasm and drama.

Maybe they are just practicing their words so they can say them perfect for you ;)

[Jer]

"FRIEND" was the wrong phrase to use. As I said, it was a co-worker. I was upset enough about it that I called the breeder and told her NOT tell sell her another bird. It was my breeder that sold it to her. And she was thinking of getting another one and there was going to be a free one it for me for selling her birds. Even having a chance of getting a free one for the sale of the others, I told her what happened and she "COULD NOT" sell this woman another bird. She agreed. I felt terrible.
Outlaw, I am definitely NOT a quiet person, talk all the time. And I do not just talk to them but also ask them questions. I also talk from other rooms and still nothing. I have tried everything I can think of, except for the CD"S that say they can teach you how to make them talk, but I haven't heard one before and really see no sense in spending 20.00 on one as I'm sure they don't work anyway. I work 8-1 monday through friday, but my husband has been home all summer due to a knee replacement so someone is always with them. He talks to them alot also. My kids are grown, so they just kinda come and go. Not here much at all and only one actually "LIVES" here. Just don't know what else to do.
As for Ozzies surgery, yes, she has healed great and so far no more accidents. She was really starting to scare me there for a while. She has become more aggresssive with me also. I wouldn't say she doesn't like me, but she now lets me know when she wants to be left alone. I am guessing its an age thing. She is not as cuddly as she use to be, but still a sweetheart and I love her to death.
Jer

[greyburd]

Jer,

Lower your expectations. You're expecting too much of them and you're getting frustrated by not getting results. Give it time. You know what they say, once they start talking, you won't be able to get them to stop. Just continue talking to them, and doing what you do. If they're meant to talk, they will.

Personally, I wouldn't go with one of those "train your bird to talk" cd's. That doesn't teach them to use words in context. Like listening to and interacting with you would do.

[TooLover]

Everyone has given great advice, and I really have nothing to add as I am not owned by a CAG. I do know that some birds are stubborn and refuse to talk; out of my 4 too's, only two talk. Merlin says one word, and I know he is capable of much more, however, he is stubborn and refuses to talk!

[paultheparrotlover]

Originally Posted by Jer

Hi everyone!!,

Ok , I know I have said this before. But I am going to say it again. But let me say in advance for those of you who don't know me. Regardless of whether this ever happens or not, I will ALWAYS love my babies.
When I got Sammy, CAG, I also got one for a friend of mine. They are the same age at 11 months old now. Ozzie, CAG is 14 months old. I have had both of them since 9 and 10 weeks. The friend who got the bird, her bird is talking up a storm!!! MINE??? NOTHING!!!! Not even the oldest one....
Am I just doing something wrong or what????
I went to the friends house one day, and I should also say that she was at the time actually a co-worker, not really a friend. Anyway, I went to her house to see her CAG. The bird is saying hello, step up, laughing etc....
Then he reaches over to what I would call "KISS" her, but just a little to hard and she slapped the you know what out of him. He fell to the ground and across the fence. So needless to say, I just wanted to reach over and slap her like she did her bird. BUT I didn't....
So once again, why aren't my birds talking yet?? I know no one has a real answer, but possibly some suggestions???

Thanks,
Jer

Does he make strange mimicking sounds? Does he vocalize at all?

[Jer]

OH YES!!!
She definitely makes mimicking noises. In fact she can whine just like my dog when she has to got out to potty. Sometime I think I hear her trying to say things, but that has been going on for a while. I try to really tune in, but just can't quite make anything out. She does alot of vocalizing and jibberish.

Jer

[The Outlaw]

Then, she's shy and will eventually speak when she's ready. That is pretty common with some greys. I've seen babies not yet weaned with an impressive vocabulary and 2 year olds that have yet to utter a discernable word. Like human children, they speak when ready. I understand your frustration. Let's face it, the number reason why the CAGs are so popular IS the ability to speak so well. There are certainly flashier birds out there for a lot less money and fewer issues.

They are very complicated creatures, that's for sure. My CAG is very sweet and talks a lot, however, that's mostly in the early evening. She says a few phrases throughout the day and makes all kinds of crazy noises, but its the early evening that she really starts to chatter. Its very funny.

I would not waste your money on a CD. I haven't heard any particular glowing reports from folks that have used them. However, MANY birds just lover children's television (ie Sesame Street, Nickelodean, Disney, etc) I think the bright colors and simple songs are appealing to many parrots. My macaws are JUST like 3 year old humans and dance and sing along with just about any kid's show. Since so many of the cartoons now are awful, I no longer leave it on. I don't feel like hearing the musings of Sponge Bob or Rugrats all day long. I have yet to see a bird here that wasn't immediately drawn to the voice of Elmo, however.